Aviation

Is the Boeing Factory Tour worth it? A Complete Guide

Welcome to an immersive journey into the heart of aerospace innovation – the Boeing Factory Tour. Nestled in the Pacific Northwest, this tour offers a captivating glimpse into the world’s largest building by volume, where dreams take flight and engineering prowess knows no bounds.

One of the top aerospace attractions in Washington State is Boeing Future of Flight, which offers visitors access to the Boeing Everett Factory Tour, Gallery, Sky Deck, and Boeing Store. Situated about 25 miles north of Seattle’s downtown, Boeing Future of Flight is situated in Mukilteo, Washington, next to Paine Field and the Boeing Everett Factory.

Discover the Boeing Everett Factory and the 777 assembly line behind closed doors by taking a tour of the largest factory in the world.

This 80-minute guided tour offers an up-close look at the history of the Everett site, how aeroplanes are made now, and how important it is to the future of commercial aviation.

From the vantage point of the balcony, overlooking the sprawling factory floor, guests are treated to a spectacle of aviation marvels in the making.

Marvel at the iconic 747, 767, 777, and the revolutionary 787 Dreamliners as they inch closer to their maiden flights, evoking a sense of awe and wonder at the artistry of human achievement.

But the adventure doesn’t end there. Beyond the guided tour lies a treasure trove of aviation delights awaiting exploration. Wander through the Future of Flight area, where the Gallery Exhibits beckon with tales of innovation and progress.

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Ascend to the Sky Deck and drink in panoramic views of Paine Field and the Dream Lifter Operations Center, where mighty Dream Lifters take flight in a ballet of engineering prowess.

As you traverse the factory floor, absorbing every detail, the guide’s expertise ensures a comprehensive understanding of this dynamic industry.

For those seeking to explore beyond the guided tour, the Future of Flight area beckons with its Gallery Exhibits, Sky Deck, and Boeing Store.

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Take in panoramic views of Paine Field and the Dream Lifter Operations Center from the outdoor Sky Deck, where the spectacle of Dream Lifters taking flight unfolds before your eyes.

Tickets to the Boeing Factory Tour offer a variety of pricing options to cater to all guests:

Adult (age 16+): $27
Youth (under 16): $17*
Senior (age 65+): $25
Military (with ID): $22
Boeing Employee (with ID): $12
Group Adult (15 patrons or more): $25
Group Youth (15 patrons or more): $15

For those who prefer to explore the Gallery and Sky Deck exclusively, separate admission is available:

Adult (age 16+): $12
Youth (age 6–15): $6*
Senior (age 65+): $10
Military (with ID): $10
Boeing Employee (with ID): $10

*Children under 6 years old enjoy complimentary access to the Gallery and Sky Deck.

Ensure to plan your visit accordingly, as the Boeing facility operates daily from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, with guided tour timeslots available between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm.

During the peak season from May to September, extended hours are in place, with facility opening from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm and guided tours running from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.

As you prepare for this awe-inspiring adventure, remember that the Boeing tour is hands-free. Store personal belongings in complimentary lockers, and refrain from bringing purses, electronics, food, or weapons.

Smoking and vaping are strictly prohibited, ensuring a safe and immersive experience for all aviation enthusiasts.

Aviation

Airbus Enhances A350 Cabin with 10-Abreast Seating

Airbus has announced a new partnership with Jiatai Aircraft Equipment, a Chinese aircraft seating manufacturer, to supply upgraded economy-class seats for the A350 widebody series.

This collaboration, unveiled at the 2024 Airshow China, focuses on developing a newly designed economy seat tailored for the A350‘s New Production Standard (NPS) cabin.

One of the key features of the NPS cabin is the ability to accommodate 17-inch wide economy seats, compared to the previous 16.5-inch wide seats that airlines were limited to in the A350’s earlier configurations.

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This change is made possible by the expanded space in the NPS cabin, which is 35 inches longer and 4 inches wider than the previous version. This extra space is achieved by slightly moving the cockpit wall forward and shifting the rear pressure bulkhead back by one frame.

The wider cabin allows airlines to add up to 30 extra economy seats without compromising comfort. For airlines opting for a 3-4-3 seating layout, the 17-inch wide seats are an excellent choice for a more comfortable passenger experience. However, some airlines, such as Iberia, may choose to retain a 9-abreast layout with wider seats for added comfort.

The NPS cabin also offers enhanced flexibility for airline operators. One major advantage is the ability to easily switch between a 9-abreast and 10-abreast seating configuration without requiring significant downtime for aircraft reconfiguration. Airlines can use the same seat rails, tracks, and IFE interfaces, making the transition smoother and quicker.

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In addition, the design of the floor attachments and air-conditioning systems has been optimized for 10-abreast seating, meaning airlines can upgrade their cabins without needing to make substantial modifications to the aircraft’s structure.

Though it’s still unclear when Jiatai’s economy-class seats will be officially added to the A350’s Buyer Furnished Equipment (BFE) catalogue, the collaboration marks a significant step toward enhancing the A350’s cabin offerings.

With this partnership, Airbus is providing more seating options for airlines, ensuring that they can meet diverse customer needs while improving overall operational efficiency.